Hello, Mr. Nice Guy! See Pics of Softy Simon Cowell With His Baby

The former "American Idol" judge and TV producer once known for his painfully honest (and occasionally a bit mean) persona is a father now, and based on the black and white photos he shared on Twitter on Sunday, he's basically one Big. Giant. Softy.

Cowell, 54, and his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, welcomed son Eric – who was named after the star's late father – on Friday and, like the tot's birth date, he's just filled with love.

Seriously, how sweet and tender are these?! It looks like Simon won't exactly be keeping the promise he made to the Times of London back in September. "I can assure: I won't go soft," he insisted. So much for that.